I have turned to the dark side and installed Sky HD along with a 1tb recorder. Giving money to Murdoch eally does grate and I now feel dirty.
However, having followed F1 obsessively for the last 30-odd years, it had to be done. The straw that broke the back of the decision for me was Sky getting the likes of David Croft, Anthony Davidson and most especially, Martin Brudle on-board. I have watched quite a few GP's on TV abroad and know what a difference a good, knowledgable commentary team makes.
As for the question of how long F1 stays as part of the Sky HD package I would be extremely disappointed if this wasn't a long term arrangement. Though given this is Sky, anything is possible. I am currently doing battle with them over a sound sync issue with a number of the HD channels. It transpires this is a long standing problem they hope to have resolved 'within a few months'.
SWMBO quite reasonably questions why we are paying £34 per month for an inferior service to the one we received for free on Freesat!
2001 3.2 Circuit Blue Coupe with pop-ups!
"If you want to argue that The Best Car in the World is a supercar, go ahead. But there is only one that makes the grade. Only one that's built properly.
Gordon Murray knows.
Rowan Atkinson knows.
It's the Honda NSX."
(J. Clarkson)